Nutrition Labeling Program to Promote Healthy Dietary Patterns

A University Canteen-based Labeling Program to Promote Healthy Dietary Patterns

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate a nutrition labelling program in improving university canteen
customers' dietary pattern and behavioural determinants (e.g. knowledge).

Details

The increase in diet related diseases worldwide is considered to be primarily caused by a
changing environment encouraging high energy intakes and a sedentary lifestyle. Examples of
important environmental factors are the changing nature of the food supply, the changing
socio-demographic structure of the population, the lack of nutrition information and the
increasing reliance on foods consumed away from home. This evolution has driven the
development of measures to encourage more healthy eating patterns. Nutrition labelling is
one of those measures. Since adults and students spend approximately half their waking hours
at the workplace or university, the work or study environment is believed to be an
appropriate setting to assess and try to change individuals' dietary behaviour. This study
aims to evaluate a nutrition labelling program in improving university canteen customers'
dietary pattern and behavioural determinants (e.g. knowledge).